Stoker



R. A. FORESMAN ET AL STOKER Filed Sept. 28, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l SCI F1 R.A.Foresman [2%. 6. v J.E.La1-rabee l ESSES; lNVENrOR I BY g'm,

ATTORNEY R. A. FORESMAN ET AL Sept. 4, 1928.

sToKER Filed sept.. 2'8, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR R.A.Fore smanJ.E.Larrabee WITNESSES: m

ATTORNEY sept. 4, 1928. 1,683,341

R. A.`FORESMAN YET AL STOKER Filed Sept. 28, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3ATTORNEY WiTNESSES STA S Lasse-ii staar FFQE.

ROBERT A, FOREST/IAN, OIE MOORE, AND JOHN E. LAR-RABEE, 0F EASTLANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO WESTINGI-IOUSE ELECTRIC &MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

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Application filed September 28, 1926. Serial No. 138,250.

This invention is a continuation in part of our application Serial No.33,414 filed May 28, 1925.

Our invention relates to progressive feed stokers, and has for itsobject the provision of apparatus of the character designated whichshall be simple in design and operation and which shall be capable ofeffecting economical combustion of fuel and eiiicient disposal ofrefuse. More specifically, thepobject of our invention is to provide animproved progressive feed Stoker. together with means for operating saidStoker whereby it 4exerts a continuous V breaking and moving effect onthe fuel being burned.

Apparatus embodying features of our inr' Stoke-i' taken along the lineII-II of Figure 1; u

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a series of grate members removed fromthe Stoker;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a dump grate member removed from theStoker;

Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe driving mechanism for the Stoker;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line VI-VI ofFigure 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation Showing one of the operating mechanismsfor the ash dis-v posal means of the Stoker; and,

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of ourinvention.

According to one embodiment of our inventionA` we provide a Stokerhaving a retort located centrally thereof, and an overfeed grate sectionextending laterally of the retort and receiving fuel therefrom.

The over-feed grate section embodies a plurality of' series ofrelatively narrow grate' members hinged together in end-to-end' relationand pivoted` to the side of the retort. Each` o f the grate members isprovided with lateral recesses for thepassage of airtothe fuel above.-4the grate and with tinted ylovver lhody portions `for cooling purposes.Means?,

are provided for raising and lowering the section at an intermediatehinged point thereo f so that a motion is imparted to the section as awhole, such that the fuel supporting -portion of each element of thegrate section has a combined motion, one component -of, whichis in thedirection of the fuel supporting surface while the other component is atan angle'to such surface. The last members of the section7 considered inthe directionof fuel feed, are adapted to slide' upon a stationarysupport, thus effecting a reciprocatory feeding action of the section,pushing the refuse of the fuel on to the ash disposal mechanism. Airunder pressure is provided beneath the. grate section and the gratemembers are held closely together in side-by-side relation so thatsifting of ashes through the grate section is prevented, while an amplesupply of air for the combustion of fuel passes freely through thelateral recesses in the grates to the fuel bed. lWe thus provide astoker which is easy to construct and as- Senible, which permits ofready removal and replacement of parts, and which is, at the same time,rugged and durable.l Referring nowto the drawings for a bet terunderstanding of our invention, particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive,we'lshow a stoker having a retort 10, supplied with fuel from a hopper11, through the agency of an engine 12, driving a feedingram 13. If sodesired, oneor more auxiliary feeding rams 14-may be provided intheretort.

are overfeed grate sections1616. Each of the overfeed grate sections 16extends at sub1 Stantially right angles to the retort 10 and receivesfuel therefrom., After passing over the grate sections 16, refuse isdischarged therefrom onto the ash disposal mechanism, illustrated asdump grates 17-17- The dump gratos 17 each comprise a plurality of`grate members 20 as shown in Fig. 4 and arranged in side-by-siderelation to be more particularly described hereinafter. A,

Surrounding the Stoker are a front wall 18, a rear Wall 19 and slidewalls 21 and 22. The Stoker structure is supported centrally by a pairo'f channel beams 28 and 24 to which the retort. 10 is suitably securedand by a pair of I beamsQG and`27, The channel beams '23 and 24 and theI beams 26 and 27 may be supported by the end walls of the furnace.Beneath the I beams 26 and 27 are suitable walls 28 and 29. Air isadmitted beneath the struc- 'ture by means of a conduit 31 so that thespace beneath the stoker and between the walls 28 and '29 defines an airbox.

Each of the overfeed grate sections 16 comprises a plurality of seriesof grate members, each series herein shown as consisting of four members36, 37 38 and 39. All ofthe members 36 are pivoted to the sides of theretort at the upper edges thereof by means of a slot'and cylinderconnection 4l. The members 37 are hinged to the members 36 in groups ofa suitable number of members by means of pins 42. rlhe members 38 arelikewise hinged to the members 37 by pins 43 and the mem ers 39 arehinged to the members 38 by' pins 44.

Lach of the members 36 is somewhat L- shaped so thatA when assembled inthe Stoker, an upstanding leg 35 borders the retort 10 and forms ineffect a portion of the side wall thereof.. Another leg 34 extends at anangle to the leg 35. The legs 34 are in effect that portion of themembers 36 which, in conjunction with the members 37 38, and 39, formthe overfeed grate sections 16, 16. The form thus given the members 36has animportant bearing on the fuel feed of the stoker as will appearmore particularly hereinafter.

In Fig. 2, the members 37 are shown as being provided with dependingcylindrically shaped lugs 46 for engagement by an operating link 47driven by a crank arm 48 from a shaft 49. Inasmuch as all of the members36 and 37 are held together by means of the hinge pins42, it is onlynecessary that a Sufficient number of members 37, such as is shown inFig. 2, be provided with lugs 46 in order to insure operation ofthe'grate section. For

example, in Fig. 3, I show the grate member 37 adjacent the grate member36 as having no depending lug. The majority of the grate membersl hingedto the grate members 36 are made in this manner.

All of the grate members `are provided with l.lateral recesses 40 forthe admission of air to the fuel being burned. The lower portion of eachof the grate members is narrower in cross section than thc upperportion'and is provided with ribs or fluted portions 45 which serve tocool the grates and also to preheat the air, in a measure, which isbeing admitted to the fuel. As may bc seen from the draw- .l ing, thcgrate members 36 are provided with a greater number of recesses 4() perunit of length than the members 37, the members 37 a greater number thanthe members 38, and

the members 38 a greater number than the Amembers 39. This arrangementof lateral recesses provides for the admission of air to the fuel bedmoving over the grate section in proportion to the combustible in thefuel. Whenthe fuel bed, adjacent the retort 10, is

comparatively fresh a liberal amount of airis supplied thereto, whileremote from the retortl the Supply of air grows less and less as thecombustible in the fuelA diminishes. We thus provide for the mostefficient burning ofthe fuel. Air for the combustion of gases driven offfrom the fuel in the retort Vl0 is supplied from an auxiliary air box 60which may have air conveyed thereto through a conduit 65.

f The shafts 49 are supported by a suitable number of frame members 51,which extend Atransversely of the stoker and are secured to the channelbeams 23 and 24 and to. the I beams26 and 27. The shafts 49 extendlongi' tudinally of the stoker, the full length .thereof and are mountedto rock in their respective supports so that, when oscillated, theyeffect a raising and lowering of the grate sections at the hinged points42 and cause the grate. members 36 to 'be oscillated about their con-'supported by a member 56 upon which the The frame lgrate Amembers 39are slidable. members 56 are hollowed out in cross sections so that, asthe grate members 39 slide back and forth thereover .an oscillatorymotion is imparted to them. In order that air may pass to the fuel abovethe grate members 39, suitable air ports 57 are provided in the framemembers 56.

Intermediate the hinged connection 42, and

the hinged connection 44 of each of the grate sections is interposed atilting support 58having` an arcuate upper surface which engages theunder surface of the member 37. -When the hinged connections 42 areraised and lowered, oscillating the grate members 36 about their pivotpoints it will be seen that a reciprocatory motion is imparted to themembers 37 38 and 39. Thelmembers 39 slide back and forth as previouslydescribed, over the mem-` The tilting supports58, in supportbers 56. ingthe intermediate parts of the grate section', tilt back and forth withtheJ reciprocating motion and impose upon the sections above them aslight oscillatory movement. As

stated, an oscillatory movement is imparted to i the members 36 by thecrank arm 48 and the link 47; however, so far as the motion of eachoverfeed portion 34 With respect tothe overfeed fuel supporting surfaceis concerned, it may be regardedv as compound, that is, with respect tosuch surface each portion 34 has motion in the general'direction of suchsurface and atan angle thereto. The combined oscillatoryandreciprocatory movement of the remaining members 37, 38 and 39 of each ofthe grate sectionsvl, which was described above, can also be consideredas a compound motion having the same characteristics as that imparted tothe portion 34 of the member 3G. It may therefore be stated that acompound motion having the above mentioned characteristics is impartedto the fuel supporting portions of each of the grate sections 16. Themotion thus imparted to the grate sections serves to break up the fuelbed passing thereover and to progressively pushit ontothe dump grates17.

In considering more specifically the operation of the grate section 16,it is noted that each of the grate sections 16 are so constructed andarranged that an upward movement of the hinge connections 42 causes thehinge connections 44 to also move upwardly; but during this movement thehinge connections 43 will move downwardly. Likewise, as the connections42land 44 move downwardly the connections 43 will move upwardly.Therefore, as either ofthe hinge connections 42, 43, or 44 moves ineither direction, its adjacent hinge connections will move in anopposite direction. In other words, successive joints of the gratesections 16 are moved in opposite directions with respect to the fuelksupporting surface. The result of the peculiar motions of theconnections is that the fuel bed will be raised and lowered at the hingeconnections, thus serving to agitatethe fuel bed and provide for aneffective combustion of fuel and in addition provides an effective meansfor advancing the fuel toward the dump gra-tes.

f As stated above, each of the overfeed grate sections 16 provides afuel supporting surface which is` inclined downwardly in the generaldirection of fuel feed, that is, from the retort .to the dump grate 17.The degree'of the angular component of the combined movement which thefuel supporting portions of the members 36, 37, 38 and 39 have withrespect to the fuel supporting surface, or rather the degree of motionwith respect to the fuel supporting surface which Yis imparted to thepivotal connections 42,

43 and 4 4, varieswith the fuel feed; that is to say, the maximum amountof movementwith respect to the fuel supporting surface takes place atthe pivot connection 42, a lesser amount at the connection 43 and theleast at the connection 44. This difference of movement between theconnections 42 and 43 is caused by the design of the members 37 withrespect to the members 36 and 38 and also by the positioning of thetilting supports 58 with respect to the hinged connections 43. In thepresent construction, the members 37 are shorter than their respective`members 36 and much shorter than their respective members 38, and thetilting supports 58 are arranged in close proximity to the hingedconnections 43. The result of such an arrangement is that theconnections 42 will move below the general direction of the fuelsupporting surface for a greater distance than the hinge connections 43,and the connections 42 will move above the general direction of the fuelsupporting surface a greater distance than the connections 43. A greaterdegree of movement of the connections 42 could be effected by increasingthe` length of the members 37and placing the supports 58 further awayfrom the connections 42. It is noted that the degree of angular movementof the members 39 is' small when compared with any one of the remainingmembers by reason of the design of the support 57. The reason for thisvariation of movement between the succeeding pivotal connections is thata more thorough agitation' of the fuel bed is required at points nearestthe retort so as to break up the coke when first formed, and permit theair for combus tion .to reach the burningv fuel. This requirement,however, becomes less as the burning fuel approaches the dump grate.

The dump grates 17 are supported by shafts 61 which are suitablyjournaled in supports 62 secured to the I beams 26 and 27, respectively.Each of the dump grate meme bers 2O is provided with a squared hookportion 63 fitting over similarly formedsquared portions 64` of theshafts 61. The dump.v grates 17 are adapted to be actuated in a mannerto be `described mare particularly hereinafter.

At the rear of the stoker and abutting the grate sections 16, is anangle member 66 hearing against the grate sections. Referringto Fig. G,it will be seen that the angle member 66 is supported in a recess 67 ofthe rear wall 19 `of the stoker. Bearing against the angle member 66 isa bell crank lever 68 having suspended from one of its arms a suitableweight G9. The Weight '(59. serves to con- Astrainthe series of gratemembers in abutting side-by-'side relation so as toprevent the siftingofcoal and ashes between the grates.

Referring now to Fig. 5, we show the drive mechanism for our improvedStoker. The mechanism employed is in all essential respects similar tothat disclosed in the application of Charles F. Miller, Serial No.631.661, filed April 12, 1923 and assigned to the lVestinghouse Elec.&iMfg. Company. The description of this mechanism will therefore bebriefly given.

In Figure 5, 71 represents the stoker engine cylinder and 72 the valvegear mechanism which is arranged to proved reciprocating motion of thepiston within the cylinder. At. 7 3, y we show the piston rod whichisconnected aty74 to the fuel feeding ram 13, The piston rod. Carries aclamp 76 having pivoted thereto a lever 77. The lever 77 is pivoted atits opposite end, to a link 78 which is also pivoted to a shaft 79.Journaled on the shaft 79 is a segmental miter gear 81, which mesheswith a similar gear 82 carried by the shaft 49. The gear 81 has anoperating arm 83 which is connected by means of a link 84, with afulcrum pin 86 which is movablewithin a curved slot 87 provided in thelever 77. K

The position of the pin 86 Within the slot 87 can be varied by means ofa screw 88 operatively connected to the pin 86 and eX- tendinglengthwise of the slot and through theopposite end of the lever 77. Ahand wheel' 89 serves to turn the screw 88 and thus move the pin 86 inthe slot 87 when desired.

As the piston rod 73 reciprocates back and forth it will be seen that anoscillatory mo-vv tion is transmitted to the gear 81 through the, lever77, the link 84 and the arm 83, the lever 77 oscillating about itsconnections with the link 78. The motion'transmitted to the gear 81 istransmitted to the shaft 49 through the gear-82, and the shaft 49 servesto oscillate the members 36 in a manner already described. Inasmuch asthe shaft 49 extends the full length of the stoker and is operativelyconnected to all the members 36, the members 36 are alloscillated inunison. The members 37, 38 and 39 of each series also have imparted tothem a reciprocatory motion in unison by the oscillation of the members36, while theV tilting supports 58 cause aslight oscillatory motion tolbe imparted to the members 37 and 38. Should it be desired to vary theamount of movement of a grate section, the pin 86 can be moved withinthe slot 87 so as to vary the distance between the outer pivoted pointof the lever 77 and the fulcrumpin 86. Motion thus transmitted may bereadily varied from practically zero to whateverI desired within thelimits determined by the length ofthe slot 87--and the travel of theengine piston.

Itfwill be observed that the motion thus ytionof our improved Stokerwill be readily apparent. Fuel from the hopper 11 is supplied impartedto the overfeed. grate section is coincident with the motion imparted tothe fuel feeding ram of the Stoker.' This -feature is important in thatit permits vus to adapt movements of the overfeed grate section so thatthe stoker may evenly burn differ entv grades or types of fuel. y

The dump grate 17 may be operated in any suitable manner. We haveillustrated in Fig. 7 a very satisfactory arrangement which We employfor that purpose. Secured to the shatt61 of the dump gra-te 17, is anoperating arm 91. !flhe arm 91 is operated by means of a linkf9'2pivoted within a piston 93 which operateswithin a cylinder 94. Leadingtothe cylinder 94 is a pipe 96, which serves to admit l'luidunderipressure to move the piston 93 outwardly and turn the shaft 61,raising the dumpy grate 17. When the -dump grate 17 is in its raisedposition, a catch 97 is arranged to engage` the operating-arm 91 to holdthe dump grate in raised position and pressure in the cylinder 94 may berelieved by means of a pipe 98 and valve 99. lVhen-y ever it is desiredto lower the dump grate 17, the catch 97 is disengaged and the dumpgrate lowers itself by gravity. Fluid under pres-V 'previously describedfor the members 36,37,

38 and 39, with the grate member 101 pivoted to the side of the retort10 as previously described for the grate member 36. The grate member 104is slidingly supported at its outer end on a stationary support 106. Theend of the member 104 nearest the retort 10 is provided with a dependinglug 107 connected through a link 108 with a stationary support 109. Thegrate member 102 has two depending lugs 111 and 112. The lugs 111 and112 are connected by means of links 113 and 114 with a rocking lever 116secured to the shaft 49. f v

It will b e seen that when the shaft 49 oscil- -lates, its motion istransmitted to the grate section through the links 113 and 114,-oscillating the grate members 101, 102 and 103, and the grate member104 slides back and forth on the support 106. The link 108 serves alsoto impart an oscisllatory motion to the grate `member 104 duringreciprocation. By this motion. the fuel bed is continuously broken upand urged toward' the` dump grate 17. v v

From the foregoingdescription, the operato the retort 10 by means of theram 13 and auxiliary rams 14 on to thefoverfeed grate sections 16. At7the same time, the foverteedgrate sections 16have imparted to them acompound motioneone component of which is in the general direction oftheinclination of the grate section and another at an angle thereto. bymeans of the link and lever mechanism described so that the fuel isbeing constantly broken up and urged toward the ash disposal mechanism17 i The amount of motion necessary to burn the particular fuel isregulated by positioning the fulcrum pin 86 within the slot 87 so thatall of the combustible in the fuel will have beeny consumed by the timeit reaches the ash Y' over the fluted portions 45 of the grate memberscools them and, in a measure, is preheated. Gases driven olf from'thefuel in the retort 10 are consumed with the admixture of air suppliedfrom the auxiliary air box 60.

W neetions thereof;

At intervals, whenneeded, the dump grate 17 may be lowered and the ashesthereon disposed of in any desired manner.

lt is to be observed, that while We have shown and described ourimproved overfeed grate section as applied tothe upper lateral edge of ahorizontally arrangedretort, that our invention is not limited to thatparticular application; for in so far as certain aspects of theinvention are concerned, it might equally as wellv be applied to anystoker invwhieh an overfeed grate is utilizedy for supporting the fuelduring combustion.

brom the foregoing, yit will be apparent that We have devised animproved Stoker which is rugged and durable, which-is simple inconstruction and operation'and which--is capable of continuous operationover ylong periods of time, effecting an eflicientburning of fuelthereon. i i

lVhile we have shown our invention in two forms, it will loe-obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not'soy limited, but is susceptibleof `various .other 'changes and modiications, .without departing'fromthe'spirit thereof,` and we desireytherefore, that only such limitationsshall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or asarevspecifically set forth in the appendedv claims.

llfhat welclaim is f l. In a. progressivefeed stoker, alseriesof gratemembers pivotally connectedv together in end-to-end lrelation andextending in the direction ofwfuel feed,a stationary pivotal connectionfor the first member of the series considered in the direction of fuel'feed, 'a stationary support for the last member of the series considered-in the direction of fuel feed, said last member being'slidable on saidstationary support, and means for oscillating said first memberaboutwitsfstationary pivotal connection. i'

2. Ina progressive feed stoker, a sieries'of grate members pivot-allyconnected together in end-to-end relation and extending in thedirectionv of fuelfeed, ay stationary pivotal connection for the firstmember'of the series consideredin the' direction offu'el feed, a supportfor the last member of the series considered inthe direction of'fuelfeed, 'said last member being reciprocable on said sup# port, a tiltingsupport interposedat an intermediate'point in' the series, and vmeansfor raising and 'lowering a lmember yof `the series atone oftheintermediate p'ivotaleon'- 3. In a Stoker, a progressive feed fuelsupporting structure comprising a plurality'of seriesof articulatedgrate members disposed in parallel relation in the. direction of fuelfeed, a stationary member, a pivotal connection between the first memberof eachof the series considered in the direction of fuel feed, and thestationary member, means for reciprocably supporting the last'member ofeach of the series considered inthe direction of fuel feed, al tiltingsupport at an intermediate point of each of the series, and means forraising and lowering a member of each of the series at` an intermediatehinged point thereof.

- 4. lin a progressive feed stoker, a retort, a ram in the retort, aprogressive'feed fuel supporting structure extending laterally andsloping downwardly from the retort, said structure comprising aplurality-of series of articulated `grate members disposed in par'i'alici-relation in the directionof fuel feed,

the lirst member of veach of theseries consid ered in the direction offuel feed beingpiv-f otally connected to the upper? edge of the retort,means for supporting the lastv member of' each 'ofthe seriesforlmovementbodily 'towardy and away" from the retort', a tilting supportinterposed at an intermediate point of each of the series, and meansfor.A raising and lowering an'interinediate hinged connection of each ofthe series.`

f 5.l In a progressive 'feedstoken' a retort, -a ram in the retort, aprogressive'feed Ifuel supporting structure extending laterally andslopingv downwardlyfrom the`*retort,`-said structure comprisingaplurality of series of articulated grate members disposedin parallelrelation in the direction of fuel feed, *the first member yof each yofthe'series considered in tliedirection o-f fuel feedbeing pivotallyconnected tothe upperedge of the retort, means for raising and'loweringthe end'y away from the retort of theiirst memberl of', each of theseries, means 'for supportingfor lreciprocatory inotion the lastvme'mberof each of the series, said means being adapted to im'- part anoscillatory motion 'to said member loo tot

in reciprocating and a `tilting 4support be;

tween said lastmentioned support' vand said- ,l

raising and lowering means. y y

ln ay stolzer, the combination with a. retort havinga fuel feeding ram,of an artcu; lated vgirate section .pivotally supportedad# jacent thesideof the retort,lmeans for' rais'- ing and lowering 'an intermediatep'ortionof` the sectionat one ofits points of articulation and astationary support forthe section at its portion most remote from theretort, 'said portion being adapted to slide'on'said sta'- tionarysupport, said stationary support being hollowed out in cross section soas to impart an oscillatory motion to the portion slid# y ingther-cover.

' 7.In a Stoker, the combination with a retort having a fuel feedingram, of an articulated grate sectionpivotally supported adj a.

ity of parallel series cent the side of the retort and extending lat.-erally therefrom, means forimparting anos-- cillatory inotion to theportion of the section adjacent the retort, and means for slidablysupporting the section at a portion thereof remote from the oscillatingportion, the last named supporting means being adapted to impart anoscillatory motion to the portion in sliding thereover.

8. A stoker comprising a retort, a ram for feeding fuel into saidretort, and a fuel supporting structure extending laterally from theretort, characterized by that the fuel supporting structure comprises aplurality of series of grate members disposedinparallel relation withthe members ofeach series pivotally connected together -in en'd-to-endrelation, means for raising and lowering a mem- .ber of each of theseries of members at anintermediate point of thel series, and means forslidably supporting each of the series of members at its end remote fromthe retort.

9. In a Stoker, the combination of a retort, a ram in the retort, meansfor driving the ram, a progressive feed fuel supporting structuredisposed at substantially right angles to the retort and comprising apluralof grate members pivototally connectedrto ether in end-to-endrelation, the first memer of each series considered in the direction offuel feed being pivotally supported adjacent the upper edge of theretort, means for supporting the last member of each of the series formovement bodil toward and away from the retort, a roc 'ng shaft, anoperative connection between said shaft and said first member oftheseries for oscillating said memberabut its pivotal support adjacent theretort, link and'lever mechanism connecting the' means for driving theram and the sh'aft for imparting motion 4to the shaftsimult'aneouslynvith the motion of the ram, said last-mentionedmechanism includinga lever and means for varying the effective movementof the lever to vary the i range of oscillation ofthe shaft.

10. In a Stoker, a retort,\a ram in theretort, a progressive feedoverfeed grate section pivotally. support adjacentl a side of the retortand receiving fuel therefrom, said grate section comprising a pluralityof series of relatively narrow grate members having f lateral. recessesproviding tuyre openings, 55@

the (members of each ser1es being pivotally connected together inend-to-end relation, means for raising and lowering a portion of each ofthe sections at an intermediate pivotneath the section, and yieldingmeans for Yconstraining the series of the section in abuti' tingside-by-side relation.

11. In a progressive feed stoker, an overfeed grate sectlon comprising aplurality of l series of grate members, the members of each series beingpivotally connected .together in end-to-end relation and the respectiveseries j I being disposed in abutting substantially parallel relation, apivotal support for the 'first member of each of the series consideredin thedirection of fuel feed, means for oscillating all of thefirstmembers in unison about their pivotal supports and imparting a recip l2.In a stoker,the combination of a re' tort, a grate section providinganoverfeed fuel supporting surface arranged ,to -receive fuelfrom theretort and including a series of members/pivotally connected together inend.- to-end relation, said grate being pivotally secured at the endlocated adjacent the retort,

means for supporting the end remote from the retort .for movement bodilytoward and' away from the retort, and means for moving f successivepivotal connections of vthe grate in opposite directions with yrespectto the fuel supporting surface.

13. In a stoker, the combination of aretort, a grate section'providingan overfeel v fuel supporting-surface arranged to receive fuel from theretort and including a'series of members, means for pivotally connectingthe members to ether 'in end-to-end relation,

`means for pivotally supporting'the end of the grate disposed adjacentthe retort, means for su porting the end of the grate .remote fromq heretort for movementI bodily toward and away, from theretort, a rockerbearing for supporting an intermediate one of the grate members, andmeans for imparting a raising and lowering action to an end portion ofthe grate member supported by the rocker bearing, so. as to causesuccessive plvotal connections of the grate to movein oppositedirections withjrespect to the fuel supporting surface.

14. In a Stoker, the combination of a retort,

ash disposal mechanism spaced fromO the reltort and extendingsubstantially parallel to land at a lower elevation than the retort, a`series of articulated members extending lat-l erally -and downwardlyfrom the retort lto the ash disposal mechanism to provide an oyerfeedgrate section having a downwardlyl vinclinedfuel supporting surface,means a jacent the retort for pivotally supporting one end of thegratesection, meansadjacent the ash disposal mechanism for supportingthe other end of the gratesection'for' movetort, and means-providingforthe simultaneous movement of the members of the grate section, such thatthe fuel supporting por- Vment bodily toward and away from the re'-A:ion in the general direction of thev fuel sup- Jorting surface and acomponentl of motion )ne end of the grate section, means adjacent yheash disposal mechanism for supporting ;he other end of the grate sectionvfor movenentv bodily toward and away from the reort, and means formoving the grate section it successive points of articulation in oppo-:ite directions with respect to the fuel sup- )orting surface.

16. In a progressivel feed Stoker, the com--` iination of an overfeedgrate section providng a downwardly inclined fuel supporting airfaceadapted to receive fuel at the upper and thereof, the grate sectioncomprising a plurality of series of grate members, the members of eachseries being pivotally coniected together in end-to-end relation and the'espective series being disposed in substanially parallel relation,means providing for novement ofthe members of the grate sec- ,ion suchthat the fuel supporting portion )f each member has a component ofmotion n the general direction of the fuel supportng surface and acomponent of motion at au ingle to such surface, and means for supplyngair through the grate section in diminishng quantities considered in thedirection of fuel feed. p

17. In a progressive feed Stoker, the coin- )inatio'n of an overfeedgrate section providng a downwardly inclined fuel supporting :urfaceadapted to receive fuel at the upper ind thereof, the grate sectioncomprising a ilurality of series of grate members, the nembers of eachseries being pivotally coniected together in end-to-end relation and herespective series being disposed in abut- .ing substantially parallelrelation,all of the nembers being provided with lateral recesses ormingtuyre openings, the number of said yuyre openings per unit of lengthalong a ieries diminishing in the direction of :fuel Feed, meansforsupplying fuel vto the section, ind means providing for movement of thenembers of the grate section such that the Fuel supporting portion ofeach member has.

i component of motion in the. general direcion of the fuel supportingsurface and4 a :omponent of motion at an angle to such lsurtace.

18, In a Stoker, the combination of an over-y leed grate sectionproviding a fuel supportng surface and including a series'of gratemembers pivot-ally connected together in endl to-end relations; meansproviding for tlie feeding of fuel to one end of said grate section;means for .supporting the first grate member of said series consideredin the direction of fuel feed; means for supporting the remainingmembers' of said series 'for bodily movement in a direction towards andaway from the fuel receivinnr Aend of said vgrat-e section; and meansfor moving the entire grate section; the grate section, the supportingmeans and the moving means being so constructed and arranged that thefuel supporting portion lof each grate member has a component of motionVin a direction away from the fuel receiving end, and a component ofmotion at an angle to the plane of the fuel .supporting surfac 19. In astolzer, the combination of a grate section providing a downwardlyinclined fuel supporting surface. and including a series of gratemembers pivotally connected. together .K in end-to-end relation; meansproviding forl the feeding of fuel tothe upper end of said gratesection; means for supporting the first grate member of said seriesconsidered in the direction of fuel feed; means for supporting theremaining members :of said series for bodily movement in a directiontoward and away from` the fuel receiving end of said grate section; thegrate section, the supporting means. and the moving means being soconstructed and arranged that tlie fuel supporting portion of eachvgratemember has a component of motion in a direction away from the fuelreceiving end, and a component of motion at an angle lto the generalplanel of the fuell supportingsurface.

20. ln a stoker, the combination of an overfeed grate section providinga fuel supporting surface and including a series of grate memberspivotally connected together in endto-end relation; means providing forthe feeding of fuel to one end of said grate section; means providing apivotal supportfor the first grate member of said series considered in adirection of fuel feed; means for supporting the remaining members-ofsaid series for bodily movement in a direction toward and away from thefuel receiving end of said grate section; and means for oscillating thefirst member of said series about its pivotal support.

connected together in end-to-end relations;

means providing for the feeding of fuel to one end of thegrate section;means for supporting the first grate member of said series considered inthe direction of fuel feed; and means for supporting the remaining gratemembers'of said se-ries for bodily movement in a direction toward andaway. fronrtlie fuel receiving end; and means for mo ing the memberssuch'that the fuel supporting portion of each member has a component ofmotion in the general direction of the fuel supporting surface andanother component at an angle to said surface; the saidgrate section andits moving and supporting means being so constructed and arranged thatconsidered in the direction of fuel feedfthe degree of angular movementyof one member of means providing for the feeding of fuel to one end ofthe grate section; and means for moving successive pivotal connectionsin 0pposite directions respectively to the fuel supporting surface; thesaid grate section and its moving means being so constructed andarranged that the degree of movement With respect to the fuel supportingsurface imparted to successive pivotal connections When considered indirections of fuel feed, decreasesV from the first pivotal connectionto- Ward the last. l

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto subscribed our names this 24thday of? Sept.,.

ROBERT A. iFORESlVIAN.` JHNk E. LARRABEE.

